Heater Matrix

[Charge]

So, my Heater Matrix decided to give up today sitting at a roundabout. I'm so glad it was today as I was going to drive aroung 200 miles tomorrow.

But still, smoke/steam kicking out of the radio, air vents, any hole, thought **** it's on fire, pulled over, turned it off and got out, lifted the bonnet but nothing seemed wrong, then realised my leg was burning, which was the water which flooded out of the footwell, both sides.

Anyway, that was enough for me. So I limped it to a VW dealer and they said around 800 to fit a new heater matrix!! I went for the easier option at another garage by bypassing it, which apparently works (have searched).

I also found that it was a big problem back in the day, and any VW recalled could have a valve put in, or something like that along one of the hoses. If I went in today and mine hasn't had this fitted, it's still under the recall, therefore free. Has anyone had this problem occuring? And how many mk2's haven't had the recall fix, hoping mine hasn't yet, but unsure how to check.

How do I check if it's had the recall fix or not?

Thanks.

[Wayne]

I believe the recall can lead to more problems, easier to fit a new matrix.

The recall was an extra valve from memory.

[mwep201081]

As far as I know VW hold a database of cars that were reworked.

When I bought mine in 1998 the rework hadn't been done, so I promptly took it to my local dealers. (Crowsons, Spalding) and they informed me the recalled period had ceased and my car wouldn't be reworked under that campaign...

Subsequently, I asked a few people from other areas, (and on here I think??) and they told me this was balls and they should have honored the recall.

I never bothered going back and arguing but just fitted the up-rated matrix myself.

[rob.043]

As mentioned, the recall was to fit a bypass valve over the in-out pipes to the matrix, this reduced the pressure to prevent them bursting. You dont want the valve fitted now, because any new matrix is designed to cope with the full pressure. The valves can stick too, leaving you cold in the winter.

Its a fiddely job to replace, but easy enough, little in the way of tools required. So around £40 and an afternoons work should see it done, rather than £800!

[Charge]

Well yea, I knew dealer prices would be way more than it would be if I did it by myself, which it looks like I will probably have to do.

So looks like ill buy the uprated heater matrix instead of trying to figure out if it's been done or not, thanks!! Any idea which ones would fit or where to get an uprated one?

[Wayne]

Well yea, I knew dealer prices would be way more than it would be if I did it by myself, which it looks like I will probably have to do.

So looks like ill buy the uprated heater matrix instead of trying to figure out if it's been done or not, thanks!! Any idea which ones would fit or where to get an uprated one?

I am sure going from past threads that a mk3 one will fit.

[Charge]

I am sure going from past threads that a mk3 one will fit.

If I was to buy one that had air con (full unit) I am imagining that it won't work in my car? Found a couple mk3's with and without air con.

[rob.043]

Plenty of places do the heater matrix for the mk2, its apparently the same as the mk3 one, and any of them that you buy should be intended for a normal system without the bypass valve, like yours. I got the more expensive of the two listed on GSF at the time (about £40).

Are you refering to the whole heater box from a mk3 when you mention air con? thats the box that houses the matrix and the various flaps for directing the air flow. If so, you dont need that, just the heater matrix on its own. An example from ebay:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VW-GOLF-MK2-MK3-GTI-HEATER-MATRIX-C39-/190463336045?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item2c587fde6d

[trevg]

did mine about 2 months ago got the dearer matrix from gsf not to bad a job just time consuming and a bit fiddly in places 

[Charge]

Sweet, thanks for all this. Ill get a heater matrix for cheap when the time comes, can't do it just yet, bit too busy! The cause of all this was because of leaking hoses and my radiator fan had stopped working without me knowing, which in turn boiled the water and took out the heater matrix! Then after that was bypassed, it blew up the coolant bottle!  So, after a lot of strife, got the fan working again for the time being, that seems to have fixed everything (for now!)  Now I need to pick up a new fan (bearing's have gone, hardly turns) and a matrix.